Internet connection very spotty with two routers under the same SSID

[CTT302]

I'm trying to make a sort of "mesh network?" By having a router upstairs and a second router downstairs under the same SSID. It works how it should, and I'm getting the download/upload speeds I should be getting, however I'm finding that my internet connection drops out constantly when doing this. (And yes I use multiple devices, all have same issue)

Some things you should know:
Both routers have DHCP server turned off, my modem is responsible for DHCP.
One router uses Channel 6, other uses Channel 2
I've checked the Wi-Fi analyzer app, unfortunately all the neighbour's networks fill up the channel spectrum and there are not many spaces to not overlap
Didn't have internet connection issues before setting this up

I don't think I've setup the routers to a static IP address, but with DHCP server off they basically function as a switch...

Is there something I'm missing?
Here is WiFi Analyzer channel screenshot: (My network is E5)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YIBz2Pi9V-KdMVm_noBvROmze6g-paED/view?usp=sharing

Any help is appreciated

 

[hightechjoe]

Channel 2 and 6 are overlapping, so your APs are causing interference for each other. In the 2.4ghz spectrum only channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap. Move your AP off channel 2 to channel 1 and it should improve things.

 

[kanewolf]

If you have many neighbors interfering with your 2.4Ghz WIFI, then you may have to upgrade to dual band 5Ghz WIFI. There are more non-overlapping channels and your neighbor's signals won't be as strong since 5Ghz doesn't penetrate walls as well.

 

[CTT302]

If you have many neighbors interfering with your 2.4Ghz WIFI, then you may have to upgrade to dual band 5Ghz WIFI. There are more non-overlapping channels and your neighbor's signals won't be as strong since 5Ghz doesn't penetrate walls as well.

Was able to run a single AP off the modem just fine. I think it's a channel issue like mentioned above

 

[CTT302]

Channel 2 and 6 are overlapping, so your APs are causing interference for each other. In the 2.4ghz spectrum only channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap. Move your AP off channel 2 to channel 1 and it should improve things.

Alright, I've done this. The upstairs AP is running Channel 1, and the downstairs is on Channel 6. still issues though, even the 5G network off these APs still randomly goes out often as well as the 2.4.
PC connected to the downstairs AP via Ethernet also goes out randomly, while the upstairs one still keeps a reliable connection on Ethernet.

I've switched to using the WiFi on my shaw modem for now, (which sucks, doesn't reach the whole house) but it's infinitely more reliable than using the APs currently.

I don't know if this has any effect but my downstairs configuration consists of a 100ft cat6 cable running through the wall into a gigabit switch, which is connected to the router. The reason I'm using a switch is because my router is a D-Link DIR-615, which is only 10/100 on ethernet, and I prefer a gigabit connection to every wired end device within my network

 

[CTT302]

Update: I'm having issues on wired connection entirely,no matter which router/switch it's from. Can't do any long downloads because they are guaranteed to fail within the first few megabytes or so. Can't post messages to forum even. SOS

I'll just power cycle everything at once and see where that goes
--Nope, didn't do anything. Still getting proper speed from my ISP however with skyrocketing ping (176mbps down with a ping of 363ms to a speedtest.net server belonging to my ISP.

 

[bill001g]

Your problem is likely a bad connector on the cable. It would be nice if pc or routers showed packet errors on ethernet. You likely will show packet loss if you let ping run to your router ip address.

It is very strange that ping time goes up on speedtest though. Ethernet does not delay data like wifi does when it detects errors. It just discards the data so you would see loss and not delay. Maybe test ping to some common ip like 8.8.8.8 and see if manual pings get higher latency on ethernet rather than wifi. I can't really see a way they can other than some strange issue with the router.

Fixing ethernet cable is fairly simple but kinda hard when you do not have testing equipment to show you what is broken. It almost has to be a poorly connected end. The issue is which end, so you have to blinding replace them. I would use keystone jacks for any cable that runs in the walls. It tends to be easier to redo than rj45 crimp on plugs. You can do just single wires rather than all 8 at a time.

Be very sure you are not using CCA cables. These are not certified and cause all kinds of strange errors on longer cables.